Don't Waste Your Money Coverage

Stimulus checks impacting tax refunds
Some people are getting a case of sticker shock while doing their taxes -- when they enter that they got a stimulus check, their refund goes down.

Why some people are getting weird tax forms
Ahead of tax season, thousands of people who never filed for unemployment are getting statements saying they earned unemployment benefits. Don't Waste Your Money has information on the scam.

Why are people throwing stimulus checks in the trash?
As if waiting for a stimulus check to arrive wasn't frustrating enough, now it turns out some people are throwing their $600 away!

Who is safe from evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The national moratorium on evictions was recently extended to keep families suffering during the pandemic from ending up homeless, but consumer reporter John Matarese warns about all the loopholes in the new law.

Are $2 parking lot steaks actually good?
Have you seen bargain steak sales from trucks in shopping center parking lots? Don't Waste Your Money tries one to see if they're any good.

Can you get paid to join a COVID-19 vaccine study?
Don't Waste Your Money looks at COVID-19 vaccine trials offering to pay participants and if they're credible.

How do I stop getting all those political text messages?
Americans will receive more than three billion political text messages this year, research shows. Consumer reporter John Matarese shows us some easy ways to stop them.

Scammers targeting people on money transfer apps
Some scammers are targeting people who use money transfer apps, especially during the pandemic.

Thousands of Stubhub customers demanding concert ticket refunds
Thousands of concerns are canceled this year, and now NFL games are playing with no fans. You would think getting a refund would be easy -- but not through Stubhub.

Man warns of laptop scams during COVID-19 pandemic
Jorge Rosado said he only had a few hundred dollars to spend. With affordable laptops in short supply, he jumped at his chance to buy one on a website based out of San Francisco called The Laptop Store.

Short supply of laptops during pandemic means more scams
According to Don't Waste Your Money, the Better Business Bureau gave The Laptop Store an F rating after similar complaints.

Most popular streaming services during the pandemic
Don't Waste Your Money compares streaming services to see which people are using more during the pandemic.

Tips on how to get your money back from that event, trip that was canceled in 2020
Something you planned in 2020 was likely canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Consumer Reporter John Matarese will give you some tips on how to get a refund if you haven't got one yet so you don't waste your money.

Used car prices soar during pandemic
Have you checked out used car prices lately? With supplies tight and demand high during the pandemic, prices are hitting an all time high. Don't Waste Your Money's John Matarese has a scam alert for car hunters.

Parents frustrated at costs for online college courses during pandemic
Colleges across North Carolina are moving their classes online, but students still have to pay full-time tuition along with other fees. John Matarese shows us why a growing number of parents are expressing frustration.

Don't be surprised if your mail arrives more slowly
Nationwide delays in mail delivery have led to concerns about the processing of absentee ballots, but there is more to it than that.

Why Netflix and other streaming services are charging more
Don't Waste Your Money's John Matarese explains why your favorite streaming service is charging extra for certain movies and TV shows.

Credit card companies cut some rewards during pandemic
As the pandemic drags on, you might start to notice that your credit card rewards are not what they used to be. Consumer reporter John Matarese shows us what your credit card may be cutting.

Nationwide coin shortage hits laundromats
The nationwide coin shortage is now starting to take a toll on laundromats and other coin-based businesses. In this Don't Waste Your Money segment, John Matarese explains what may change at your local laundromat.